Ball Don't Lie - NBA


The BDL NBA Power Rankings combine two parts Chivas Regal with one part flippant observation to create the most unbalanced ranking possible, and to offer the least accurate look at the state of the NBA on a weekly basis. If you disagree with your team's spot, feel free to go crazy in the comments or spit venom via email.

1. Los Angeles Lakers — One always had the hint that Arron Afflalo was Los Angeles' kryptonite. The Lakers are now on pace to only win 72 games. The dream is over, people. What can I say? [KD]

2. Boston CelticsKevin Garnett: "You can look at our record, but we still have a long way to go." Um, not true, Kevin. Saturday's OT battle in Milwaukee was the Celtics' 68th game in the last 12 days. They're almost done. [JE]

3. Phoenix Suns — Things are too good. Something's going to happen. Steve Nash is going to rob something, or someone. Grant Hill is going to default on a loan. Shaq's going to turn out to be a bloody Bolshevik. They're going to break our hearts. You know it. I like their defense (14th), though. [KD]

4. Cleveland Cavaliers — "LeBron James scored 38 points, leading a second-half rally that gave the Cleveland Cavaliers their seventh straight victory ..." That has to be the Associated Press's go-to line. I bet they use it to pick up chicks at the bar. Also, "LeBronco James":


5. Detroit Pistons — It is a repudiation of all that is sane and civil that Kwame Brown is starting over Amir Johnson. At least Amir's per-minute stats are better. We'll always have the per-minute stats, Amir. Always. [KD]

6. New Orleans Hornets —I've watched the Bees play three or four times this season, and I still have no idea what to make of them. I am flummoxed. One quarter they're dominant, the next quarter they get pushed around a little bit and start playing the refs. Ranking them sixth seems too high and low at the same time. [JE]

7. Atlanta Hawks — Hey, remember when the Hawks were on pace to win 82 games? Man, those were the days. Back when shows had great theme songs and my dad had a neckbeard. [JE]

8. Houston Rockets — When I wrote "rusty bunch of geezers," I meant "tempestuous batch of all-world talents and Aston-driving basketball mercenaries, several of which boast a Victor Mature-like sense of cool and whimsy, even at their most droll." Obviously, both Noel Coward and Carl Landry are standing directly in back of me. [KD]

9. Portland Trail Blazers — The worst defensive team (29th) that nobody knows about ... wait, I'm sorry, did someone order a 7-footer with skills? [KD]

10. Orlando Magic — The Magic Men were the only squad in the league last season with a better record on the road (27-14) than at home (25-16), and we could be looking at a repeat performance. Their moms must suck at cooking. Sloppy Joes and crap like that. [JE]


11. Utah Jazz — One of these days, mister, they're gunna get the whole gang back together and, you wait. Yeah, you wait. Also, minus the Afghan Whigs t-shirt, Kosta Koufos looks like me from October 1994-November 1994. Then I got the haircut right. The skin took a while. [KD]

12. Philadelphia 76ers — It is beyond comprehension. You even take pictures of your hotshot free agent pickups in the uniform. Just go back to the old unis, already. Stop making this harder than it has to be. What would Steve Mix say? [KD]

13. Toronto Raptors — Calderon's out, and you know Darrick Martin is circling the parking lot, like a vulture, trying to guess which car is Will Solomon's.

(Everybody knows Will Solomon can't afford a car!) [KD]

14. Denver Nuggets — 25th in offense, 6th in defense. Yes, I'm back on that thing again. [KD]

15. New York Knicks — Actual "MSG Mic Check" with Coach D'Antoni Sunday night: "C'mon defense, let's go. Let's go guys! Go! Here we go, here we go, guys. Here we go! Here we go, here we go. Way to go, Zach! Here we go white, here we go white. Here we go white." Awesome. [JE]

16. Chicago Bulls — My girlfriend had to tell me to shave the thin little mustache, and she told me she knew exactly why I was growing it. [KD]

17. Miami Heat — Win, loss, win, loss, win, loss, coach was in CHiPs.


18. Milwaukee Bucks — "While the Bucks' 5-6 record isn't going to turn many heads in L.A. or New York, it's tough to complain given what they're up against: an obscene eight back-to-backs in the first month, 12 of the first 19 on the road, and seven games and counting without Michael Redd." Frank Madden. Boom! [JE]

19. New Jersey Nets — A young man blocks out harmful memories of weak ankles and significant events of his life. As he grows up, he finds a way to remember these lost memories and a supernatural way to alter his life and win two games over the Hawks. "The Harris Effect," starring Devin Harris. [JE]

20. Indiana Pacers — The Pacers are actually outscoring their opponents by two a game, which puts them at 13th in the NBA, which means they're better than their record. And yet, six years after it hit the internet, nothing's better than this record. [KD]

21. San Antonio Spurs — Monty Williams has been annoying his family for weeks, stepping outside of restaurants to check his voicemail, and driving circuitous routes in order to stay in cell phone range. He thinks the call is coming. He thinks Pop is going to need him. He's really not as deluded as you think. [KD]

22. Golden State Warriors — If you have five dollars and undrafted free agent Anthony Morrow has five dollars, undrafted free agent Anthony Morrow has more money than you. [JE]


23. Sacramento Kings — The Kings are horrible. The team is a mismatched batch of parts that shouldn't fit, couldn't fit, and (eventually) won't fit. The team competed like mad all last season. The squad's offense, while iffy, is at least innovative and trying new things. The team is fun to watch. The team entertains the fans. The team works hard. The team is injured. The team has no singular focus off the court. The team has a singular focus on the court. The team should be worse than it is. And you want to fire the coach of this team? [KD]

24. Dallas MavericksSigh. [JE]

25. Charlotte Bobcats — At least three times this season, 68-year-old coach Larry Brown has told his team to stop playing like Laverne and Shirley. Funny line, except "Laverne and Shirley" was a situation comedy that ABC cancelled in 1983. Nine of Brown's players weren't born yet. [JE]

26. Memphis Grizzlies — Once again, it's time for Matt Moore's Griz Semi-Chub. Take it away, good sir ... "The best part about following the Grizzlies is that no matter the score, the fourth quarter will be exciting. They always seem to close the gap. The worst part about following the Grizzlies is that no matter the score, they're probably going to lose, often in profoundly frustrating ways." [JE]

27. Washington Wizards — You just get the feeling that if Chris Whitney were around, none of this crap would be going down. [KD]

28. Minnesota Timberwolves — See: Grizzlies, Memphis.

29. Los Angeles Clippers — This team doesn’t play to expectations, however small. This team cannot rebound, in spite of two guys who had double-figure boards last year. This team is full of mercurial, flighty guys who need coddling (players that were acquired with both coach and front office knowing that they were mercurial, flighty guys who need coddling), who instead receive stern lectures in the press as a result. This team has played at home, a lot. This team loses, a lot. And this team wants to keep its coach? [KD]

30. Oklahoma City Thunder — "PJ Carlesimo is definitely a great hire if you're looking for someone to lose games, alienate fans and insult your city. If not, though, you might want to go with a guy who players respect." Sound advice. Embrace the comments, people. [JE]

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113 Comments

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  1. Dwc
    1. Posted by Dwc Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:50 pm EDT

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    Oden is not the answer to the Trailblazers defensive problems. Each center of the top teams in the west will destroy Oden. Oden is a flop, they should have went with Durant, if playoffs are in the future for the young Blazers it will definently mean an early playoff exit. Btw, why are the Mavericks always so low on power rankings? Spurs and the Mavs may be starting off slow, but I wouldn't count them out, they can win a lot of games and in short time.
  2. ofrankxthextanko
    2. Posted by ofrankxthextanko Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:53 pm EDT

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    PJ Carlesimo is the worst coach ever OKC should be better
  3. Beer Is My Anti-Drug
    3. Posted by Beer Is My Anti-Drug Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:19 pm EDT

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    Finally, the Cavaliers are right around where they should be. All they did was go out and beat a solid Denver team, and a good Utah team this week. They're doing what they're supposed to, and no, LeBron dosen't have to score 41 a night for Cleveland to win. Good outside shooting, suddenly stifiling defense, and the 'All for one, one for all' attitude will carry this team to the finals. Now, I'll sit back and wait on the Laker fans to say their normal piece about hoe Kobe is God, LeBron is overated, and the Lakers won't lose another game all year. Go ahead Lakers fans, we think it's cute.
  4. Handsome 3K
    4. Posted by Handsome 3K Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:45 pm EDT

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    This "article" is horrible, what the heck are these guys talkign about? If you have $5 and Morrow has $5, Morrow has more money than you?
  5. mcchicken69
    5. Posted by mcchicken69 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:13 pm EDT

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    Forget the FAKERS, Bynum's not going to last and Buss has to ship someone out of town. That luxury tax money was meant to spent on chicks!
  6. The Devil
    6. Posted by The Devil Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:45 pm EDT

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    I understand Brown also threatened to take Felton's pudding away if he didn't shoot better shots. Can't complain with the results, though...
  7. Richard M
    7. Posted by Richard M Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:04 pm EDT

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    You try to appear clever but you can tell it doesn't come easy.
  8. mcwelk
    8. Posted by mcwelk Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:14 pm EDT

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    I was at the show in Austin when Greg Dulli got his head caved in.
  9. Czheck
    9. Posted by Czheck Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:33 pm EDT

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    Oklahoma City Thunder — "PJ Carlesimo is definitely a great hire if you're looking for someone to lose games, alienate fans and insult your city. If not, though, you might want to go with a guy who players respect." and if your looking for somebody to steal your team and no give a real effort at rebuilding a once very proud franchise (1993 finals) and my first team that i followed clay bennet would be your owner. Sonics rest in peace. the lakers should be higher they should be 3 spots above any other team
  10. Glenn M
    10. Posted by Glenn M Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:10 pm EDT

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    chris whitney? really? um . . .
  11. SeanF
    11. Posted by SeanF Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:10 pm EDT

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    A lot of people are too quick to call Oden a bust. He's only played four games so far this year - give him some time. Dwight Howard, McGrady, Kobe - all these guys are superstars that struggled at times or much of their rookie seasons, without having to fight through the rust and conditioning of missing a season like Oden has. I expect stats similar to Dwight Howard from his rookie year (10pts, 10rbs, and 2 blks), which is what he's been putting up the past couple games.
  12. bong
    12. Posted by bong Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:09 pm EDT

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    wonder what Ms. Kelly's been smoking this time...
  13. SJ
    13. Posted by SJ Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:00 pm EDT

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    Phoenix Suns are the best in the worlddd~
  14. SJ
    14. Posted by SJ Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:00 pm EDT

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    Logic :
    Pistons beat Lakers (1 Power Ranking) by double digit.
    Phoenix Suns beat Pistons by double digit (While missing 2 starters and 6th man)
    Lakers
  15. Matthew
    15. Posted by Matthew Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:32 pm EDT

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    Okc will never be better...they should just pack it up and head off to another city....when durant leaves after next year, then the owner will see the huge blunder he made. Blunder should be their nickname...fits them!!!
  16. gman2849
    16. Posted by gman2849 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:10 pm EDT

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    PUHLEAZE the niX above the bulls? they've had too many easy wins. we've had to play top teams (except for the bucks - heh) while getting to know a new offense with a rookie point guard and still come out 5-5.
  17. Don G
    17. Posted by Don G Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:39 pm EDT

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    Oden has been doing his thing with limited playing time because he is out of shape. we will see in 1 or 2 years how things pan out for the blazers.
  18. Mallory S
    18. Posted by Mallory S Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:14 pm EDT

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    Oden is already putting up better numbers than Andrew Bynum (last two games in which the still out of shape Oden has played 24 minutes). More points, more blocks, more steals....and Oden hasn't been healthy enough to get much practice time. Just wait.
  19. Circusmidget
    19. Posted by Circusmidget Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:21 pm EDT

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    God I hate Faker Fans. "Lakers should be higher" I cannot wait until they lose again this year and Phil leaves the team right before they fall apart. Then we will see how many fans the lakers really have. Boston wins again this year and no I am not a Boston fan but the Lakers looked horrible against them.
  20. Rick H
    20. Posted by Rick H Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:38 pm EDT

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    Everybody knows that the Lakers will win at least 67-68 games this season, if they remain healthy. The final four in the West will come down to Lakers, Utah, New Orleans, Phoenix and from the East it will be either Boston or Cleveland. With that said all eithers WILL PERISH!!!!!
  21. James T
    21. Posted by James T Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:01 pm EDT

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    The East will prevail again in the championship at this point. The question is can the Celtics repeat or will Cleveland or Detroit take them down. I like Cleveland's chances because they will continue to improve and seriously challenge Boston for dominance. In the west the Lakers are the team to beat but don't count out Phoenix or Houston.
  22. Ralph S
    22. Posted by Ralph S Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:32 pm EDT

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    Mark Cuban just got indicted, which means he probably is going to jail for insider trading just like Martha Stewart and the Mavericks well, sigh.
  23. MarkL
    23. Posted by MarkL Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:43 pm EDT

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    Okay this is for all you Laker fans...........Kobe blows dog...............you heard it here first
  24. 4:20 is where its at
    24. Posted by 4:20 is where its at Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:58 pm EDT

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    Lakers are the best , so F the rest !!
  25. Stanley C
    25. Posted by Stanley C Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

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    Dwc ur fucing stupid, please stop talking

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